May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 93 



Rabbit-tipi, taking with them the remaining objects, and proceeded 

 in the direction of the Offerings-lodge. In this procession Debithe 

 carried the straight-pipe, the Lodge-Maker the knife representing a 

 lance, and Biba the Wheel with its willow support, while Bihata had a 

 sack of red paint and Waatu a sack of black paint. 



THE RABBIT-TIPI ABANDONED, 1902. 



J As has already been stated, all preparations were now completed 

 on the part of the priests within the lodge, and they were now to start 

 out for the ceremony of painting the poles and for the completion of 

 the Offerings-lodge proper. 



The scenes outside during the painting of the dancers and the 

 final preparations of the priests had been unusually interesting. The 

 inhabitants of the entire camp-circle, together with large numbers of 

 spectators from visiting tribes, were gathered in groups here and there 

 in the great enclosure. Near the Rabbit-tipi were the Dog-soldiers, 

 appropriately costumed, while in other groups were the Kit-Fox, Star, 

 Lime-Crazy, and Thunderbird organizations, all gayly attired, singing 

 appropriate songs. (See Plate XXXL) 



At a signal from Hdwkan, Nishnat^yana took up the buffalo skull, 

 Thiyeh the Wheel and the digging-stick for the sod, Chanitoe the 

 buffalo robe, Watangaa the Badger-pack, Debithe the straight-pipe, 

 the Lodge-Maker the bag of red paint, Waatanakashi, the bag of 

 black paint, Wahiibahu the ceremonial knife or dagger, Yahiise the 

 digging-stick, while Hawkan took up the support for the Wheel, as 

 well as the support for the sage representing the bird and the leathern 

 case for the belt. In this order they filed out of the tipi and halted 

 in the open space just east of the Rabbit-tipi. (See Plate XXXII.) 

 On halting, Nishnateyana deposited the skull, and by its side were 

 deposited the robe, the two digging-sticks, the Badger-pack, and the 

 leathern sack or receptacle for the belt. 



This marks the termination of the rites of the Rabbit-tipi. A few 

 moments later, while the priests were engaged in rites at the Offerings- 

 lodge, Thiyeh and Waanibe came up, and without formality took the 

 Rabbit-tipi down and restored it to its owner in its proper position in 

 the camp-circle. 



THE LODGE-POLES PAINTED. 



With Chanitoe at the head of the line, they turned, after emerging 

 from the tipi, and facing toward the setting sun, each placed one foot 

 near the bottom of the pole They now began singing, and each 

 raised whatever he held in his hand toward the sun. Debithe now 



